The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

More than ten people, some on horseback and some on foot, escorted an exquisitely decorated carriage along the main road toward Chengdu.

It was the Northern King's entourage responsible for escorting He Sui's wife, Lady Lü.

Luocheng belonged to Dongguanghan County, but it was very close to Chengdu, and there were many carriages and horses on the main road.

There were caravans of merchants, as well as palanquins used by scholars for their travels.

Such a curtained carriage is not particularly eye-catching.

Inside the swaying carriage.

Lu's pretty face turned ashen, a mixture of hatred, regret, self-blame, and sadness ruining her beauty.

She initially thought it was just bad luck that she had encountered thieves.

Later, it was rumored that General Jiang Wei had sent assassins to kill He Sui.

She was skeptical.

It turns out to be Liu Chen, the King of the North...

Was it because she was too beautiful? Or because the He family was too wealthy? Perhaps it was both? That's what attracted the covetous eyes of the King of the North?

Thinking of this, her heart ached terribly; regret gnawed at her heart like a wolf. She wanted nothing more than to tear her own face apart.

They say beautiful women are a source of trouble... Me.

"His Majesty has ordered that you must reach the Northern Palace. If you commit suicide, the entire Lü clan will be implicated."

Inside the carriage, there was a eunuch and a palace maid watching. The old eunuch said with a grim expression.

His words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Lu Shi's head, chilling her to the bone.

She had indeed had that thought just now: as long as the woman didn't want it, the man wouldn't succeed. She could die right then and there, and meet her poor lover in the afterlife.

The old eunuch's words made her afraid to act.

Since Liu Chen, the Prince of Beidi, dared to send assassins to kill her husband, he could send assassins to kill anyone in the Lü family.

She just told Lü Ming not to worry about her. That's what she was thinking.

Such a feudal lord is not someone you can afford to offend.

Lady Lü gave a sorrowful smile and asked the old eunuch, "There are countless beautiful young women in the world; the Prince of the North could easily have them. Why go to such lengths for an old woman like me?"

"I don't know about that," the old eunuch said. He did have a guess, and it was true. A twenty-year-old woman was a bit old for her age. But their Northern King didn't seem to be a normal person.

After his marriage, Liu Chen doted on his beautiful wives Liu Zhaoning and Chen Lingzi.

"Opinions differ. The King of Chu favored slender waists, which is why many of his concubines starved to death. Our King of the North, on the other hand, prefers...wives?" the old eunuch thought to himself.

Lady Lü didn't think she would get an answer, so after hearing the old eunuch's words, she stopped asking and just sat there curled up.

She wanted to ask Liu Chen in person.

............

The Lü family.

A detailed list of He Sui's assets.

They were sent out separately.

The detailed list of family assets first arrived in Chengdu, then in Wangzhuang, Beidi.

Inside the palace. Liu Chen sat leaning against the bed, his face pale and listless. He had eaten too much yesterday, and today his stomach was bloated and he had acid reflux.

Liu Zhaoning's plump buttocks rested on the edge of the bed as she scolded, "Your Majesty, although the food is delicious, you must exercise restraint."

She was originally a widow who stayed at home, but now Liu Chen almost always stays overnight in her and Chen Lingzi's room.

Liu Chen was also full of youthful vigor...

She seemed to have experienced a second spring; her eyes were always filled with spring-like joy, her skin was radiant and glowing, truly exuding the charm of a mature woman.

She also observed that Liu Chen had a very good temper, unlike the rumors that he was difficult to get along with, and his tone was very casual.

As for the food... the food at the palace was indeed delicious. Sometimes she would crave and eat a little more, but she never dared to overeat. She had to maintain her figure.

"Got it," Liu Chen said lazily. Yesterday was a special case; he had practiced martial arts too intensely and was too hungry, so he ate too much without realizing it.

Liu Zhaoning stayed by Liu Chen's side, talking to him constantly. At noon, she personally took the lotus seed porridge, blew on it to cool it, and fed it to Liu Chen spoonful by spoonful. She displayed the utmost gentleness and attentiveness of a woman.

After Liu Chen ate the lotus seed porridge, a eunuch came in from outside carrying bamboo slips covered with cloth.

Liu Zhaoning glanced at Liu Chen, then wisely stood up and swayed away with her slender waist and plump hips.

The eunuch stepped forward and handed the bamboo slips to Liu Chen.

Liu Chen took out the package and unfolded it, a cold smile appearing on his face. He said, "So you still have five henchmen. What a renowned scholar from Sichuan. But the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. This inheritance is mine for the taking."

After thinking for a moment, Liu Chen looked up at the eunuch and said, "Send someone to invite Zhang Fei, Sun Gui, Zhou Yun, Li Chang, and Han Jin."

"Yes." The eunuch bowed and left.

Liu Chen ordered his attendants to help him change his clothes. After he was dressed properly, he took the bamboo scroll and left the palace, going to a small room next to the palace to wait.

After a while, Zhang Fei, Sun Gui, Zhou Yun, Li Chang, and Han Jin walked in from outside.

All five of them were dressed in coarse cloth clothes, dressed as stewards.

However, their appearances, temperaments, and personalities are all different.

"Your Majesty," the five men said, bowing respectfully to Liu Chen as they lined up in a row.

Liu Chen's gaze fell on their faces, and he nodded in satisfaction. These five people were his five great masters.

They were all the most outstanding talents among the various estates under his name.

"Sit down," Liu Chen said, withdrawing his gaze.

"Thank you for the seats, Your Majesty." The five men bowed in gratitude and then knelt down on the spot.

There were two boxes beside Liu Chen. He opened one of the boxes and took out a map.

Then he opened another box and took out the bamboo slips inside.

"Although you all know the matter, I will still briefly explain it." Liu Chen paused here before continuing, "I already own a great deal of land, households, and properties. I plan to set up five estates to manage them."

"I have many properties in Shu, but few in Ba."

"The focus in Sichuan is on consolidating existing businesses, while the focus in Bazhong is on expanding existing businesses."

At this point, Liu Chen stopped and looked up at the five people.

"Yes." The five men immediately bowed in greeting.

"Hmm." Liu Chen nodded in satisfaction, then pointed to the map, took out scrolls of bamboo slips, and divided the territory with the five people.

How many acres of land, households, and industries does Wangzhuang in Beishu have?

How many villages are there in Wangzhuang, Nanshu...?

How many villages are there in Brazil, Badong, and Bajunwangzhuang?

The property he had just seized from He Sui's family was also included in it.

As for the appointment of the manor.

Sun Gui: Owner of Wangzhuang Manor in Northern Shu.

Zhang Fei: Owner of Wangzhuang Manor in Southern Shu.

Zhou Yun: Owner of Bajunwang Manor.

Li Chang: Owner of Wangzhuang Manor in Brazil.

Han Jin: Owner of Wangzhuang Village, Badong.

If we consider the Northern Kingdom as a real country, then these five people are equivalent to prefects or high-ranking officials.

Below them are small and medium-sized manors scattered throughout the counties.

Liu Chen said calmly, "You must manage the estate while also protecting it. There are many thieves now, and if you are too lax in your defenses, you will be attacked."

"You shall select able-bodied men from among the households as appropriate, and have experienced soldiers train them to guard against thieves."

"But remember. You must not make crossbows, and even less armor. I do not wish to be accused of treason."

Training troops was part of the plan. There were many bandits in Sichuan and Chongqing, and each major clan had its own private army. It was a good excuse.

"Yes." The five men bowed solemnly in response.

The five men left quickly. Liu Chen yawned and said, "My actions were too obvious. To paraphrase a famous saying, 'Kill the husband and seize the wife, plot against the wealth and occupy the grain.' He Sui is an important disciple of Qiao Zhou; he cannot and will not remain indifferent. He should retaliate."

"But I am the emperor's son." Liu Chen's face showed a half-smile.